Artist Interviews Quin Kirchner Interview

This week, Features co-director Mick R. catches up with Chicago-based percussionist Quin Kirchner while on tour with Ryley Walker in Europe. They discuss adapting to a variety of styles of music in the bands he plays with, the conversational art of improvisation, and the creative processes of making accessible excerpts for his release Concentric Orbits, a duo with France-based pianist Rob Clearfield.

"It's so important to listen and to be aware of what the other musicians you're playing with are saying and where they're coming from because it is a conversation." - Quin Kirchner

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Lizzie Kirchner

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Artist Interviews Flung Interview

Kashika is Flung, an Oakland polyrhythmic and experimental music project that bridges the worlds of poetry and sample-based music. They have a new album dropping this summer called Apricot Angel, and in this interview they speak with Features co-director Mick R. about how the new album came together, how Kashika translates their songs to a live setting, the enduring influence of Zimbabwean Shona Marimba on their music, and more. 

Flung will be playing the Hideout on July 2, 2022. Information can be found at https://hideoutchicago.com/

Apricot Angel will be out on Citrus City on Citrus City on August 19, 2022. 

"Once the songs going you're part of it and you have to stay with it and you have to attend to it, and even if something falls away, you still have to get back on it and give it what you can" - Kashika

Produced by Mick R. 

Photo credit: Jordan White

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Artist Interviews Arcadia Grey Interview

This week, Features co-director Mick R. speaks with Nat Breeden of Arcadia Grey, a formerly Indianapolis-based and now Chicago-based emo/pop punk band. They discuss Arcadia Grey's surprising influences, the rise of fifth-wave emo during the pandemic, and the maturation of the band's sound on their upcoming sophomore album.

"Once our music is out there, it isn't our music anymore, it isn't our art anymore, it's the people who listen to it and how they want to interepret it. I think, looking back, on the process of making the art, I think it's a good idea to have someone else create it with their own intentions in mind, and have the audience intrepret it. I think that's cool. I think that's what we try to strive for in our music." - Nat Breeden

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: V. Sidaugaite

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Artist Interviews Jennifer Hall Interview

Jennifer Hall is a Chicago based singer who has released a string of powerful singles over the course of 2021 and 2022. Features co-director Mick R. caught up with her to talk about her upcoming EP, the inspiration for her recent singles, her work with producer Noah Leger of Disappears, and her many past collaborations. 

"I have been incredibly lucky to have music as an outlet, both in listening and creating...  it's been a wonderful escape and a great friend in tough times." - Jennifer Hall

Production by Mick R. 

Photo credit: Matthew Hollis

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Artist Interviews Post Animal Interview

This week, Features contributor Lee Gomez speaks with keyboardist and guitarist Jake Hirshland of Chicago-based Post Animal. They discuss Post Animal's live album, Levitation Sessions, recorded at a transformed-with-tracts-of-real-grass Sleeping Village during the pandemic, patronizing King Spa in his downtime, and experimenting with staying the course musically on their newest album, Love Gibberish.

"We're still pushing and trying to get to that next echelon." - Jake Hirshland

Produced by J. Kyle White-Sullivan.

Photo Credit: Kevin Allen.

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